In return for so little power we elect a small group of people who often have no expertise in government to run a country. In no other field of endeavour would we allow someone with no experience to take control of something so important.

She was horribly, horribly right wing and I find it difficult to forgive her that. Despite believing in the policies she implemented (the woman really thought she was doing good) I look at the society we have today and I can see the scars her policies left behind. Enormous social immobility and a lack of political empathy.

The parallels between the previous Conservative government and the current Conservative-led government are clear: further taxes are being imposed on those who are least able to pay them. But where today's situation is different is in the public's response.

As a fervent believer in pacifism, my heart is well and truly thrusting me in the direction of non-violence. However, my head - and (just occasionally) history - tells me that violent demonstrations are more effective than peaceful ones.